Mulberry leaves: beneficial properties and contraindications

Among the plants there are many in which all parts are medicinal. Mulberry leaves have unique properties. With regular use of decoctions and teas, heart tone and blood pressure are normalized, and the blood is thinned. Dried raw materials are recommended for use for all types of cough, asthma, as an antipyretic and sedative.

What mulberry leaves look like

Mulberry leaves are heart-shaped or ovoid, similar to blades. The location is different. They look like dark green plates with a shiny surface and a relief mesh of veins. The underside is matte, much lighter. The denticles are clearly visible along the edge of the plate. Mulberry leaf blades are long - from 7 to 15 cm.

Chemical composition of mulberry leaves

The benefits and harms of mulberry leaves lie in the composition. The presence of vitamins and essential oils allows them to be used to treat many diseases.

For various collections, specimens located in the middle tier of branches and on young trees are most suitable. Leaf blades contain:

• carotene and calcium;
• phosphorus and nitrogen;
• protein and fats;
• essential oils that are similar in composition to tea tree oil;
• organic acids;
• a large number of different vitamins;
• ascorbic acid;
• sugar;
• tannins and sterols.

In addition, mulberry leaves are rich in flavonoids (rutin, coumarins, hyperoside and quercetin) and resins.

Medicinal properties of mulberry leaves

The benefits and harms of decoctions and teas made from mulberry leaves have been known to mankind since ancient times. Mulberry was consumed to relieve painful symptoms during menopause. Suppressed mood swings, migraines, normalized libido.

Mulberry decoctions and teas:

1. Helps normalize fat and carbohydrate metabolism.
2. Reduces bad cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
3. Septic, anti-inflammatory and healing properties have a beneficial effect on various types of eczema and other skin problems (for washing wounds, lotions).
4. It is useful to take mulberry decoctions for visual impairment.
5. Syrup from these parts of the mulberry tree helps in the treatment of heart and vascular diseases (lowers blood pressure), diabetes, as the medicine normalizes glucose levels.
6. Mucolytic and expectorant properties help with coughs, sore throats (gargling), and relieve pulmonary edema.
7. For fever and high temperatures, drinking from mulberry leaves is recommended.
8. Ointments prepared from green raw materials are effective for rheumatism, dermatitis, and skin tuberculosis.

Rules for harvesting mulberry leaves

For any medicinal raw material to be useful, it must be collected at a certain time and properly prepared for storage.

The collection of medicinal raw materials is planned for the flowering period, it is at this time that new greenery appears. During this period it contains a large amount of useful substances.

It is easy to prepare mulberry raw materials:

1. The torn leaves are inspected and substandard specimens are removed.
2. Then rinse with running water and dry on a cloth.
3. Lay out to dry in a well-ventilated area without direct sunlight. You can string the records on a rope and hang them, for example, in the attic.

Recipes and Applications

Since dried mulberry raw materials have been used for the treatment of various diseases for a long time, there are many folk recipes that have been tested for centuries. People at all times believed that decoctions and teas from different parts of the mulberry tree could help with any ailment.

For example, to get rid of high fever, prepare a drink from 1 tbsp. l. leaves and 500 ml of water. The raw materials are placed in cold water, brought to a boil and immediately removed from the heat. The broth is infused for about 1 hour, filtered. For 3 days, drink 1 tbsp of the medicine.

If you have liver problems, you can brew tea from 1 tbsp. l. raw materials per glass of boiling water.You can drink several times a day after meals. To enhance the effect, it is useful to include berries in your diet.

Decoction of mulberry leaves for diabetes

Mulberry leaves are widely used for diabetes. There are recipes for decoctions that are used at different stages of the disease.

Recipe for treating type 1 diabetes

In case of illness, the following recipe is suitable:

• dry raw materials – 2 tbsp. l.;
• boiling water – 400 ml.

The raw materials are placed in boiling water, allowed to stand for 60 minutes and filtered. You need to drink half a glass 4 times a day before meals.

At this stage, it is useful to add a little powder made from dried leaves to hot dishes.

Recipes for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus

There are several options for preparing a decoction of mulberry leaves for diabetes:

1. Option 1. For the decoction, take 2 tbsp. l. crushed raw materials along with branches and pour a glass of boiling water. Bring to a boil and leave until the medicine cools down. You need to take mulberry decoction before eating 3 times a day.
2. Option 2. The recipe requires white mulberry leaves (2 tablespoons) and 500 ml of boiling water. You need to brew the crushed raw materials in a thermos. All useful substances will pass into the water after 2 hours. After infusion, the medicine should be filtered through several layers of gauze and consumed 3 times a day before meals. This drink helps lower blood sugar.
3. Option 3. Not only mulberry leaves help in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. You can, as a supplement, alternate decoctions from the root. To prepare the medicine, take 1 root and 1 liter of liquid. The crushed raw materials are poured with water and boiled for 15 minutes. You need to drink half of the prepared broth per day.The remaining mulberry medicine is stored in the refrigerator.

Mulberry leaf tea for the pancreas

Pancreatic disease (or pancreatitis) has also long been treated with mulberry leaves. According to the recipe, you need to prepare 1 tbsp. l. fresh raw mulberries and 1 tbsp. water. Drink like regular tea. Despite the fact that there is no clear course, after 1 month it is recommended to take a break.

Recipes for mulberry branches and leaves for the eyes

Fresh or dried mulberry leaves have long been used to treat eye problems. There are different recipes for different diseases.

For cataracts

2 tbsp. l. raw materials pour 500 ml of boiling water and cook for a third of an hour. After infusion, the mulberry drink is filtered. It is recommended to consume 3 times a day before meals. The course of treatment is designed for 3 months without interruptions.

For primary glaucoma and tearing

Pour a handful of mulberry raw material into 1 liter of hot water and heat in a steam bath for 10 minutes. The cooled and filtered liquid is instilled into the eyes: 5 drops each.

Decoction of mulberry leaves for damaged skin

Since mulberry leaves have antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and healing properties, they are widely used to treat damaged skin. To do this, you need to prepare a medicinal drink:

1. It is prepared from 1 tbsp. l. crushed mulberry raw materials and 500 ml of water.
2. Place the container on the stove and bring to a boil.
3. After this, the mulberry decoction is removed from the heat and left under a closed lid for 30 minutes.
4. When the liquid has cooled, it is filtered through gauze folded in several layers.

The resulting composition is used to wash open wounds and wipe the skin for eczema, acne and other injuries.

Precautionary measures

Despite the fact that mulberry leaves have many beneficial properties, their use should be treated with caution.

This you need to know:

1. If you are taking mulberry products for the first time, you need to monitor the body’s reaction. At the slightest suspicion of an allergy, stop taking the infusion. The same applies to external use. Sensitivity to the plant is tested on a small area of ​​skin. If redness or itching appears, do not continue using the product.
2. Drink from mulberry leaves should be taken in accordance with the recommendations of the recipe. The slightest overdose can cause diarrhea and dehydration.
3. You can treat with mulberry leaves after receiving the recommendations of your doctor.

According to research, radioactive substances accumulate in all parts of the mulberry. Therefore, collecting raw materials in unfavorable areas is prohibited. Also, you should not buy dried leaves at the market, since it is not known where they were collected.

Contraindications to mulberry leaves

Despite the fact that mulberry leaves have medicinal properties, there are contraindications to their use:

1. According to research, mulberries contain substances that have a positive effect on the heart. They strengthen it and tone it. But doctors do not advise people with chronic high blood pressure to drink decoctions from fresh or dried raw materials.
2. Mulberry decoctions and teas can cause an allergic reaction.If you have relevant symptoms, you should seek help from a clinic.
3. Many people have individual intolerance to certain foods. This also applies to parts of the mulberry tree.
4. If diarrhea appears after taking mulberry medicine, it means that mulberry is contraindicated in any form.

Conclusion

Mulberry leaves are a useful raw material for treating many diseases, increasing immunity and maintaining tone. Many doctors recommend to their patients recipes for decoctions and mulberry teas as an addition to basic drug treatment.

Recommended Posts

Weeping mulberry: planting and care, photo

How to graft mulberry (mulberry)

White mulberry Smuglyanka

Mulberry: photo of berries, cultivation

White mulberry

Mulberry (mulberry) pruning in autumn, summer, spring

Black mulberry: photo and description

Description of the mulberry variety Black Baroness

How does mulberry reproduce?